Shining silver orbs dot the edges of these hoop-style earrings, creating a bold and shimmering display of Hill Tribe artistry. A trademark handicraft\, Hill Tribe silver has a higher silver content than sterling. 94% to 98% of Hill Tribe silver is pure! Earrings measures about 1.5 inches wide and about 1.5 inches long total. Earrings weigh about 12 grams.
- Sterling Silver orb hoop earrings
- Made of Hill Tribe silver
- Earrings are 1.5 x 1.5 inches
- Made in Thailand
Beauty isn't perfect, it's authentic. This piece is artistically created by hand where beauty and imperfections go together wonderfully. Please accept and appreciate minor imperfections and variations which are true characteristics of this craft.
design: An oxidized sterling silver hoop earring lined along its outer curve with a row of small hand-formed silver orbs, with the inner wire wrapped in fine coiled silver for texture.
size: About 1.5 inches wide and 1.5 inches long; the pair weighs about 12 grams total.
material: Hill Tribe silver (94%–98% pure silver) with sterling silver fishhook ear wires.
features: Row of hand-formed silver orb beads, coiled wire-wrap detailing, oxidized finish for contrast, lightweight open hoop, fishhook backs
care: Store in a dry place away from moisture and perfume, and clean gently with a soft silver polishing cloth, working around the beads to preserve the oxidized contrast in the recesses.
disclaimer: Because each pair is hand-formed and finished, slight variations in the wire coiling, bead placement, and oxidation are normal and part of the piece's handmade character.
The Story
Hill Tribe silver is the signature work of Karen and other hill tribe silversmiths in the mountains of northern Thailand, prized for a silver content well above standard sterling — typically 94% to 98% pure. Smiths there favor hand-coiled wire and rows of small soldered beads, the same vocabulary seen on this hoop, over cast or machine-stamped forms.
The beaded, orb-lined hoop is a hallmark shape in this tradition: wire is coiled into a ridged band, then a line of individually formed silver balls is set along the front edge, and the piece is oxidized so the darkened recesses set off the polished beads. Historically, Hill Tribe silver jewelry doubled as portable, wearable savings for its makers and their communities, which is part of why the silversmithing stayed a valued, actively practiced skill rather than a novelty craft.
This particular hoop reflects that everyday-wearable, beaded style rather than a ceremonial or festival-specific form — it's the kind of piece made for regular use, sized to be worn comfortably rather than as a large statement adornment.
A silversmith draws silver into fine wire, then hand-coils it around a hoop-shaped form to build the ridged, textured band. Small amounts of silver are melted and rolled or hammered into individual balls, which are placed one by one along the outer edge and soldered into place. Once assembled, the hoop is oxidized in a solution that darkens the recessed coils, then hand-polished so the raised beads and wire ridges catch the light against the blackened background — a finishing step that takes as much care as the shaping itself.
Craft & Materials
- Made In: Thailand
- Craft Tradition: Hill Tribe silver
- Ideal For: Someone who likes textured, oxidized silver jewelry with a handmade look for daily wear.
- Wear It With: Wear alone for everyday texture, or pair with other oxidized silver pieces for a layered, mixed-metal look.
- Purpose: Everyday wear, gifting
- Metal: Hill Tribe silver (sterling silver ear wires)
Questions & Answers
What is Hill Tribe silver, and how is it different from sterling silver?
Hill Tribe silver is hand-worked by silversmiths in the hill communities of northern Thailand and typically runs 94% to 98% pure silver, higher than the 92.5% standard for sterling. The ear wires on this piece are sterling silver for added strength and hold.
How much do the earrings weigh, and will they feel heavy?
The pair weighs about 12 grams total, which keeps them light and comfortable for all-day wear despite the beaded detailing.
Are these earrings hypoallergenic?
Sterling and Hill Tribe silver are generally well tolerated by sensitive ears, though anyone with a known metal allergy should check with a doctor before wearing any silver jewelry.
Will every pair look exactly the same?
No — because each hoop is hand-coiled and hand-beaded, you may see small differences in bead spacing, coil tightness, or oxidation depth from piece to piece. That variation is part of the handmade process, not a flaw.
How do I keep the oxidized finish looking good?
Wipe the earrings with a soft silver polishing cloth after wear and store them in a dry pouch away from moisture, lotion, and perfume, which can dull the finish over time.
